John gardner



J., GARDNER. Cartridge.

N0, 226,16? Patented April 6, |880.

N.PETERS. HOTD-LITHOGRAPNER. WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT CErrcE.

JOI-IN GARDNER, CF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T0 THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY, CF SAME PLACE.

CARTRIDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 226,167, dated April 6, 1880.

Application filed February 16, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN GARDNER, of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have in vented certain Improvements in Cartridge-Shells, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to cartridge-shells for use in shooting shot; and the invention consists in making a shot-shell with its ,open end reduced in diameter internally for the `purpose of concentrating the shot, as hereinafter more fully described.

Figure l is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section, of a cartridgeshell embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central section of my improved shell, showing a modified method of construction.

Guns for shooting shot have long been constructed with what is technically known as a choke-bo`re-that is, with the muzzle of the barrel more or less contracted-the object of such construction being to prevent the shot from scattering as much as they otherwise would, and thus effect what is termed close shooting at longer distances than can ordinarily be done with barrels which are not choke-bored.

While this plan works well for long range, the trouble is that it concentrates or holds the shot together too much for short range, the result of which is that the game is far more likely to escape, especially when shooting on the wing, as the shot in such case spreads over but a small space; or, if the concentrated charge hits a bird or other small game itis apt to lacerate or tear the bird to pieces, which is objectionable. Moreover, when a gun is provided with a choke-bore, it has to be used in that condition whether the range belong or short, and hence is not capable of being adapted to the varying conditions or circumstances under which game has to be hunted.

Now, the object of my inventionis to provide a means whereby the sportsman can at will, and with the same gun, produce the effects of a choke-bore or not, as circumstances may require; and to that end I construct my improved shot-shells in such a form that while their exterior will fit the chamber of the gun These shells may be made in any suitable` manner.

In Figs. l. and 2 the front portion, b, is represented as being' composed oi' thicker metal than the portion in rear thereof, this portion b being soldered or brazed fast to the body A of the shell; or, if made sufficiently thick the parts may be screwed together by having a screw-thread formed on them; or, by making the shell of steel or of suilcient thickness to withstand the effect of -the charge its front portion may be reduced in diameter both externally and internally, in which latter case the reduced portion would not rest firmly against the barrel when the charge was red.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the front portion of the shell reduced to the choke-bore .style or form by securing within the mouth of an ordinary shell a section, b, of a smaller tube, the rear interior of this section b being made conical, so as not to present a too abrupt or angular shoulder to the outgoing shot.

These shells may be made of metal or of paper, as is at present customary, both materials being used for the manufacture of shells for shot-cartridges, and they may be varied as to the extent to which they shall be rendered choke-bored, as may be desired, or as shall be found necessary to suit the wants of different parties or the varying conditions under which they are to be used.

.I have found by experiment that by the use of shot-shells constructed on this plan I can produce all the benecial effects which are produced by a choke-bore gun without having the gun itself choke-bored; and thus by myinvention the sportsman, by merely using this or the ordinary style of cartridge, can with one and the same gun obtain all the benefits that he could derive from two separate gunsthe one choke-bored and the other not-if used with the ordinary cartridges.

Another and very important advantage to be derived from the use of my invention is the facility with which the sportsman can adapt or change his charge for a close or a scattering shot, it only being necessary to withdraw the IOO ing a single-barreled gun can produce a close or a scattering shot as effectually as with a double-barreled gun one barrel of which is chokebored and the other not. By using a doublebarreled gun and having one barrel loaded with my improved cartridge and the other with ordinary cartridge the sportsman is always prepared for a long or a short range shot, as circumstances may require.

The advantages of such a cartridge Will be obvious to the sportsman, and need not therefore be more fully set forth.

I am aware that cartridge-shells for use in rifles have been made with their front end reduced in diameter, or, as it is technically termed, necked down, to lit a chamber of a corresponding form or shape; but such cartridge-shells are not adapted for use in shotguns or for shooting shot, they being simply filled with powder, with the rear end of the bullet held in the mouth of the reduced or necked-down shell, and I d0 not claim such but,

Having described my invention, what I claim is l. A cartridge-shell for shooting shot which has its Walls made thicker at its front end, whereby its mouth is reduced in diameter, so that While the exterior of the shell shall be supported by the Walls of the chamber of an ordinary shot-gun' theV shot shall be'V concentrated as they pass from the shell, as set forth.

2. A shot-cartridge shell having its exterior surface extended in a straight line from end to end, or substantially so, 'so as to fit the chamber of ordinary shot-guns, With its interior diameter' reduced at its front end, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

JUHN GARDNER.

Witnesses T. G. BENNETT, DANIEL H. VEADER. 

